Notebook: Norman to defend 147 title vs. Haney in November
Opetaia steps up call for unification showdown with Zurdo; date set for Eubank-Benn rematch; Wilder update; Quick hits; Show and tell
A note to Fight Freaks Unite readers: I created Fight Freaks Unite in January 2021 and eight months later it also became available for paid subscriptions for additional content — and as a way to help keep this newsletter going and for readers to support independent journalism. If you haven’t upgraded to a paid subscription please consider it. If you have already, I truly appreciate it! Also, consider a gift subscription for the Fight Freak in your life.
In a fight that came together very quickly, WBO welterweight titlist Brian Norman Jr. will defend his crown against Devin Haney, who will attempt to win a world title in a third division, on a November date to be determined in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
As soon as Norman retained the belt with a brutal fifth-round knocked out Jin Sasaki on June 19 in Tokyo, Top Rank said it was planning to bring Norman home to the Atlanta area for a fall defense.
But days later they were approached about the prospect of the Haney fight, even as Haney’s father and trainer, Bill Haney, was calling out Norman, and it was put together quickly. On Sunday, Turki Alalshikh, who oversees the Riyadh Season events and decides what bouts he wants on the cards, announced the fight.
“In November in Riyadh, Brian Norman Jr. will defend his welterweight title vs. Devin Haney on a Riyadh Season card. More exciting surprises to come,” Alalshikh posted on social media.
He followed up with, “Devin Haney will fight anyone and I respect that.”
Haney’s response to Alalshikh was, “Line them up.”